Gasoline price indicating and computing device



Jun: 12, 1928. 1,673,146

T. H. HIETT GASOLINE PRICE INDICATING AND COMPUTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 25, 1927 Patented June 12, 1928.

UNITED STATES TEE H. HIETT, F DORA, ALABAMA.

GASOLINE PRICE INDICATING AND COMPUTING DEVICE.

Application filed February 26, 1927. Serial No. 171,103.

I cabinet, having afront display panel with a marginal group of computed-sales-price openings associated with a pointer movable opposite the opening corresponding to the number of gallons sold, the openings being successively and serially numbered from 1 up to designate the number of gallons sold.

I employ within the cabinet a selective series of interchangeable display cards, each having to hold it in predetermined display position within the cabinet and each card having near its center large display numerals for indicating the given price per gallon for gas with reference to which the marginally arranged group of smaller numerals indicating sales prices are computed, said large numerals being visible through a. large opening in the display panel surrounded by the smaller sales price openings. The cabinet will thus, for each card, display the correct price for any number of gallons of gas sold by reference to the correspondingly designated marginal aperture at the price indicated by it through the large display opening.

It is a distinctive feature of my invention that it will display the above data in such manner that it can be readily observed by the customer who can see not only the price per gallon that he is paying for gas but also the correct amount to be paid for any given amount purchased which will be indicated by the pointer. Obviously it is necessary that price cards be provided for each different price per gallon of gas, within the ordinary range of such prices, and each card may be printed on both sides with the same or with different price data.

My invention further comprises the novel details of construction and arrangements of parts, which, in their preferred embodiment only, are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which Fig. 1 is a front View of a cabinet.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the cabinet opened.

Fig. 3 is a detail View of one of the'price cards. I

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line IVIV of Fig. 1.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

In the embodiment of my invention illus-' trated, I show a cabinet formed of any suitable material, preferably of sheet metal comprising a front panel 5 having a marginal flange 6 providing a shallow depth to the cabinet. A back 7 is hinged to a side marginal flange and adapted to snap lock with the opposite flange. The back carries a series of spring arms 8 which are adapted to engage and press a group of price cards 9 against the inside face of the front panel of the cabinet. This panel has a large display opening 10 and a marignal circle of smaller openings 11 which are successively and progressively numbered from 1 up, the last representing the largest amount of gas ordinarily sold to a customer. In the cabinet shown I provide twenty such openings 11, thus adapting it to indicate prices with reference to sales up to twenty gallons. I secure a substantially semi-circular wood block 12 by screws or otherwise to the inside face of the front panel 5 and this block is provided with a V-projection 13 which extends above the center of the panel and receives a bear- 7 ing pin 14 for a hand pointer 15 mounted in front of the cabinet concentric to the circle of openings 11 and movable to indicate the desired opening 11 according to the number of-gallons of gas purchased.

Each card 9 is provided with a semicircular top portion 16 having in its center a notch 17 adapted to receive the V-projection 13 on the block. The bottom 18 of the card forms a segment of anannulus and will fit snugly about the block which will therefore serve to hold the card in predetermined display position behind the cabinet panel. I print in the upper portion 16 of each card large display numerals 19 to designate a price per gallon of gas and arranged for display through the panel opening 10, and in a marginal row of circles 20, arranged to register with the panel openings 11, I print groups of smaller numerals 21 which respectively indicate the computed price, at the indicated cost per gallon of gas, for the number of gallons of gas marked above their respective display openings 11. The same data thereon varying in accordance with the .price per gallon of gas and the computations of cost based thereon. v y e H In use, assuming gas is at the price of 20 per gallon, theappropriate cards carrying the numerals 20 in position for display through opening 10 is presented with its 7 face towards the cabinet 5 and is mounted on the block 12 in correct display position in which its notch 17 receives projection 13. The other group of price cardsare mounted behind it over the guide block and by closing the back 7 the springs 8 thereon willuserve to press the cards soas to 'hold the selected card closely against the front'panelo of the cabinet and thus in correctdisplayposition.

The cabinet is then hung in a prominent position inthe fillingstation and the hand pointer 15 is moved to indicate the number of gallons of each purchase and the price thereof, so that the customer will know that ''he is being chargedthe correct amount for the gas sold.v

Though I have described with great particularity the details of the embodiment of the invention herein shown, it is notto be construed that I am limited thereto, as changes in arrangement and substitution of equivalents may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention asdefined in the appended claims Having thus described my, invention,wliat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v 1. A price indicator and computer of the cessively from .1 up,-in combination with a display card having an annular series of;

groups of numerals. indicatingtcomputed data and'arranged to be displayedtlirough said marginal series of apertures an intermediate group of price display numerals adapted to be exposed through said large aperture and with reference to which said computed data are made, means to mount and center said card in predetermined display relation with reference to said apertures in the front panel of the cabinet, and a pointer pivotally mounted in the card mounting means and adapted to point to the computed price display apertures in the frontpanel of the cabinet.

2. Aprice indicator and computer according to claim 1, in which the mounting means for the cards is a block forming part of the bearing for the pointer axis and having a lug offset and adapted to engage and center the card in correct display position. 3. A gasoline price indicating and computing cabinet comprising a receptacle having a hinged back carryingspring presser tures extending, about the front face vand bearing successively designating numerals from 1 up serially, a pointer mounted in-said block and movable to indicate any one of sa d marginal apertures, said block being substantially semi-circular with a centering shoulder offset therefrom, in combination of a series of cards having central apertures corresponding to the block and shoulder and having displayed thereon a given-price per gallon for gas adapted to g register with the large intermediate aperture character described, comprising ,a cabinet and having computations based on said price per gallon aflnd, adapted to register WltliStilCl several marginal apertures and each to dis- .play the price for the number of gallons of gas with which its respective aperture is designated. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

TEE H. HIETT; 

